In August 2001, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a proposed rule to require a phytosanitary certificate to accompany all commercial shipments of produce imported into the U.S., as well as fruits and vegetables brought in by travelers, with certain exceptions.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective July 10, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 319 in order to provide for the importation of untreated citrus (grapefruit, sweet oranges, and tangerines) from Mexico for processing (i.e., extracting juice) under certain conditions. APHIS believes that the conditions of this final rule will be sufficient for safeguarding fruit that are moving from Mexico to Texas.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 12, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by expanding export and reexport controls on certain biological agents and toxins (referred to as select agents and toxins) that have been determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to have the potential to pose a severe threat to human, animal, and plant life, as well as certain sectors of the U.S. economy (e.g. agriculture).
The DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a final rule, effective October 1, 2006, which revises transportation requirements for infectious substances, including regulated medical waste, to adopt new classification criteria, new exceptions, and packaging and hazard communication requirements consistent with revised international standards and to clarify existing requirements to promote compliance. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/21/05 News, 05062120, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N PHMSA-2004-16895 (HM-226A), FR Pub 06/02/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4992.pdf
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 29, 2006, which establishes regulations to govern the submission of requests for changes in 7 CFR Part 319 which prohibits or restricts the importation of certain plants, plant parts, and plant products into the U.S.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a press release announcing that on May 26, 2006, the Senate confirmed Ambassador Rob Portman as the Director of OMB. (Rob Portman formerly held the position of U.S. Trade Representative.) (OMB press release 2006-15, dated 05/26/06, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/pubpress/2006/2006-15.pdf.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 23, 2006, which amends 9 CFR Part 93 for the importation of ruminants into the U.S. in order to establish standards for privately owned quarantine facilities.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced that a referendum will be conduced among eligible producers and importers of blueberries to determine whether they favor continuance of the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Blueberry Order).